KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Alando Terrelonge, in his presentation to the youth parliamentarians at the 2019 sitting of the National Youth Parliament, held on Monday November 11,  charged the youth of Jamaica to become involved in the planning and policy decisions for the future of Jamaica.

The theme for youth month is “LIT — Jamaican Youth Leading, Inspiring and Transforming our world” encouraging the youth to take their place as leaders in their own spaces.

Terrelonge described the Government as “mere trustees” of the nation and called upon the youth to hold their elected officials accountable for the future of Jamaica.

“When the Most Honourable Prime Minister, Andrew Holness indicated that we will be embarking on a national programme to plant three million trees we did so for you, the youth of Jamaica. To reduce, to limit the harmful effects of climate change so that you, and your children and their children can inhabit a Jamaica that is worthy of the light that you bring,” he said.

He indicated that the Government has been making policy decisions regarding the environment and the economy to protect the future for the youth and charged them that it was their responsibility to ensure that they have a government that always acts in their best interest exercising their democratic right to vote.

Terrelonge described the National Youth Parliament as testament to the benefits of youth participation in political life.

The state minister said the focus this year on topics including climate change, abortion and corruption among other topical issues is an opportunity for youth to participate and have their voices are heard on national issues.